Laurent Blanc would like to bring in a new defender at Lyon to beef up what he sees as an inexperienced backline, according to today’s L’Équipe, although the club intends to build for the future around its young options – having notably turned down an offer worth €43m from Chelsea this summer for Castello Lukeba.

Les Gones want to pair the 20-year-old with an older player to aid his development, not least with Jérôme Boateng’s signing now established to have been a misstep from the club in the wake of his fitness issues, and Sinaly Diomandé’s lapses in concentration being seen as a liability.

Click Here: Manchester City Jersey Sale

A list of three names has been drawn up, although specific names have yet to filter, and the club is set to make its first moves in the coming hours as it looks to bring in a right-sided defender that can help get the most out of the exciting prospect that is Lukeba.